On Tuesday, April 2, 2002, MSMS held its bi-annual humanities
day. Students listened to speakers about the justice system of
Mississippi. They also listened to a compelling and well-spoken
United States Supreme Court justice.

The anticipated speaker of the day was US Supreme Court Justice
Antonin Scalia. Justice Scalia presented a compelling speech on
the constitution and its place in the American society. Justice
Scalia emphasized how the constitution was and is the foundation
of the United States. According to Justice Scalia, no other
country in the world has a constitution like the United States’.
He even stated that the US constitution has been the framework
of this nation for longer than some countries have even been
countries. Justice Scalia then emphasized the two views on the
constitution, originalist and proponents of the living
constitution. He then expanded on this issue describing the
subtle differences in each. Originalists believe in strictly
following what is written in the constitution while proponents
of the living constitution believe everything can be found in
the constitution and if you feel strongly enough about it, it
should be included in the constitution. He then began addressing
questions of the audience, which ranged from making one month
paid vacations a law to the constitution in relation to genetic
engineering.

Beginning at 12:45 P.M. students at MSMS gathered at the Pohl
Physical Education Building at the campus of the Mississippi
University for Women to listen to talks about the justice system
of Mississippi. The first speaker was Lenard Vincent who spoke
on the penal system of Mississippi the past and the present
systems. He also talked about the correctional facilities in
Mississippi. Some of the issues mentioned included free college
education for inmates, inmate privileges, and programs to
rehabilitate inmates.

The next speaker was Justice Kay Cobb, a member of the
Mississippi Supreme Court, who discussed the Supreme Court’s
role in justice. She addressed the routine followed by the
Supreme Court in hearing a case. Justice Cobb said in deciding
to hear a case they look at whether the constitution was
followed, rights protected, etc. Usually the court meets in
panels of three, said Justice Cobb, but with death penalty cases
they all meet. Justice Cobb also gave an overview of the trial
procedures and even pointed out that oral arguments can be seen
live on the internet. With justice Cobb being the only female on
the Supreme Court, Vision was itching to know how she felt being
the only female on the Supreme Court. In response she said,
“sometimes it’s a little lonesome,” because of the nonsocial
interaction. When asked by a Vision reporter whether or not she
felt her opinions were overlooked because she was a female , she
replied, “ I don’t and I’m really glad I can say that.”

MSMS students then heard from US Magistrate Jerry Davis.
Magistrate Davis, who has served in this role for 18 years,
discussed the role of the US Magistrate. Magistrates hear both
civil and criminal cases. They try 2-4% on the civil side. When
civil cases arise, they are assigned either a magistrate or
district judge. In criminal cases only magistrates are assigned.
In these, magistrates handle anything that does not expose the
case. Magistrate Davis says they try to resolve cases without
going to trial, which can be very expensive. On the civil side
they handle items such as habeas corpus. On the criminal side
they issue search warrants, arrest warrants, etc.

Overall, the students at MSMS got an in-depth look at the state
justice system and the US justice system. All of the speakers
presented different forms of the justice system and contributed
to some new views and different understandings of the justice
system as a whole.